Five Minutes with Tyler Clark

We sat down with Associate Principal and Planner, Tyler Clark to learn more about what drives his passion for urban design.

What aspects of urban design are you most passionate about, and how do they influence your approach to planning and development?

I am deeply passionate about urban design at the district scale, recognizing the transformative potential of dynamic, mixed-use urban neighborhoods in shaping truly livable downtowns. In rapidly growing regions like Central Ohio, diverse and vibrant urban districts will continue to be key in capturing new residents and fostering a resilient region. I am particularly invested in the visioning and district-wide framework phase of the projects I work on, as this serves as the backbone of the process. A strong district framework—supported by a mix of uses, intentional placemaking, multimodal transportation, and meaningful public spaces—lays the groundwork for long-term success. My work often involves collaborating with public sector leaders, local developers, and public educational institutions to develop implementable strategies for neighborhood supportive mixed-use development, high-quality public spaces, and functional multimodal networks. While I contribute to projects across various geographies, Central Ohio’s rapid population growth presents both opportunities and challenges that make strategic, district-scale planning especially critical to ensuring equitable and sustainable growth, especially in Columbus’ downtown.

What initially inspired you to pursue a career in urban design, and what continues to drive your passion for this work?

Urban design is most effective when it is collaborative. One of the aspects I value most about the planning and design work we do at MKSK is the holistic planning approach we take for every project - bringing together public and private stakeholders, multidisciplinary teams, and community voices. By guiding meaningful dialogue among planners, policymakers, developers, and community members, we can create urban environments and districts that are vibrant, functional, and inclusive. With urban design as my primary focus, I have the opportunity to contribute to projects holistically. At MKSK, my work spans both our planning and landscape architecture studios, allowing me to contribute as a consistent and cohesive voice throughout the design and implementation process.

I entered this field motivated by the opportunity to positively impact communities through thoughtful design and I remain committed to that goal. I want to continue leveraging my expertise to shape places that promote well-being, connectivity, and equitable development. Whether working at the scale of a district, a campus, or a singular site, my goal is always the same: to contribute in a meaningful way to environments that enhance the quality of life for those who visit or experience them on a daily basis.

Tyler Clark, AICP, Associate Principal is an urban designer and Planning Team Lead with MKSK in Columbus, Ohio. His experience is focused on mixed-use urban district visioning, campus planning, public realm strategies, and Transit-Oriented Development.